January’s Quick Look

January lasted longer than usual this year, yes? I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that way, or in my escape into the written word. Here is some of where I went:

Books

Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman

Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff
– A sloppy book. You’ll be left wondering what the point was of writing it.

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig
– Highly recommend, although I’m sure it’s not for everyone, I thought it was gritty and great. A brilliant premise supported with one of the most authentic voices out there.

The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington
– Delightful and weird. I will be re-reading this one in October.

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
– A disappointment, but how can you match The Golden Compass?

The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams
– As good as I remembered, although the beginning is a snail’s pace. Keep going, I promise it’s worth it. Bonus: The series is completely written, unlike some other high-fantasy I won’t name.Poetry

The Lost Words by Robert MacFarlane
– An oversized work of lovely art in addition to a tender and mindful book of poems.

Four Slateku by John Lee Clark
-This poet invented a new form of poetry that can be used with the braille slate and stylus!As a side note, Kaveh Akbar was the guest editor in January for the Academy of American Poets, and the entire month’s collection was fabulous.Short Stories of Note

The Animal Women by Alix E. Harrow
– Highly recommend. Prose that sings and rumbles. It’s a two-part series, but easy to access. Harrow is an author to watch.

The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin
– If you read nothing else of her work, please read this. (but, I highly recommend you read more of her work, too.)

Magazine Articles of Note

A Kingdom from Dust by Mark Arax
– The surreal is real in this article about the billionaire couple who made Wonderland out of drought-stricken California land.

What did I miss? Where did you go in January? Please share your links!